Another game, another anti-climax. Damn you West Ham! Always getting my hopes up for the season only for them to be dashed a couple of games in! You could almost say ‘my dreams, they fade and die’.
Following on from our home drubbing to Man City we had the trip to the Amex where Brighton were the hosts.
PRE-GAME
Saturdays are generally hectic enough for me but with the missus away for the weekend and me badly needing a haircut plus other the other usual Saturday stuff I was cutting it fine for kick-off. Luckily, BT Sport weren’t feeling optimistic about this game warranting an early kick-off!
To be fair, I still managed to make the pub just in time for 3:00pm, justifying me running about all morning/afternoon like a blue arsed fly. As I ordered my first pint, I noticed one of the many TV’s was moving through the ‘international satellite system’ channels. Happy Days!
Pint in hand, moving towards my lips, I notice the football appear on the TV, but not the West Ham game, the Southampton v Liverpool game. WTF is going on? A few Liverpool fans have also noticed and are aligning themselves towards the TV. This needs sorted!
‘Don’t be getting too comfortable there lads!’ I warn. ‘Barman, you seem to have the wrong game on’
Within a matter of seconds, the channels are scrolling again before coming to rest on Brighton v West Ham. I can now relax and enjoy my pint.
THE GAME
The relaxing and enjoying the pint didn’t last too long, as within a matter of minutes, Burn got on the end of a free kick and should have scored.
The opening few minutes seem to have set the tone for the match as the first half was mainly Brighton.
In the 28th minute, Ogbonna emptied Glenn Murray. I can’t really blame him, I’d love the chance to do that, he always seems to score against us! From the resultant free kick Brighton have the ball in the net from a completely unmarked Trossard. The few Liverpool fans, obviously miffed at missing out on watching Adrian, start to slag me.
But our old mate VAR is called upon and the goal disallowed for an offside on Burn. Keep it quiet over there you bin dippers!
Not the most exciting of halves but the pints of Carlsberg are going down a treat so the trek to the pub has been semi-worthwhile.
Second half starts with Wilshere making way for Antonio. Looks like we have also pushed Antonio up alongside Chicharito. I had hoped Antonio would have started as I felt we would need a bit of muscle against Brighton’s back three.
Brighton continue to press West Ham but come the 61st minute, Lanzini skips past the Brighton midfield before sliding the ball through for Chicharito, who slots it past Ryan.
Strangely, I was muted in celebration as I was waiting to see if it went to VAR and didn’t want to be shot down by the Scousers if it was disallowed.
Nope no need for VAR, Chicharito timed his run perfectly! 0-1 Yes!!! ‘Another pint please barman!’ They taste even better when your winning!
It wasn’t long though for the pint to go off, when in the 65th minute Brighton get the equaliser. Trossard has the ball in the net for the second time. A long ball down the middle isn’t dealt with due to poor communication between Diop and Ogbonna and ends up at the feet of Trossard who strikes it from just outside the area past Fabianski. 1-1! Thankfully the Liverpool fans mustn’t have noticed the Brighton goal, probably deep in conversation about how it was definitely going to be their year. Trossards!
It’s safe to say, by this stage, the game was getting less appealing and the pints more appealing. Possibly why I don’t really recall much more of the action from the game bar the silky running of Lanzini to set up Snodgrass, whose shot was saved by Ryan, and the Antonio header at the end of the game that could of sealed all 3pts.
OVERVIEW
Another lacklustre performance for a team with so much potential. I have seen on social media people saying we always struggle at Brighton. This is true. The stats say we have played there 24 times, won 3, drew 7 & lost 14. But seriously, if we are talking about West Ham going to ‘the next level’ Brighton are the sort of team we need to be beating.
So, what did I learn from the match on Saturday?
1. Our defence is very poor.
2. Fabianski could be Hammer of the Year again based on point 1.
3. We miss our Captain, based on the performances of our last two games captaincy.
4. Liverpool fans are Trossards.
5. Pints are a necessity when your watching West Ham.
Looks like it’s going to be a long season, anyone got the phone number of The Priory?
COYI!
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